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Strengthening bonds for every family
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2024 was a year of strengthening bonds with families, supporters, and partners
The US is among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth. But thanks to our supporters, March of Dimes worked to innovate, collaborate, educate, and advocate in communities nationwide. The maternal and infant health crisis is one we all share, and one we all have a responsibility to address. Every day, we work to reduce maternal and infant mortality and improve health outcomes for all moms and babies. March of Dimes led change that moved our mission forward through the following four key approaches.
Families first
Programs and partnerships
Advocate
Educate
Collaborate
Innovate
Introduction
We innovated to uncover new treatments and extend our reach
Stories like Katie Wilton’s, who faced severe pregnancy complications, drive our commitment to groundbreaking research.
Read the full story here
Our impact In 2024, as part of our five March of Dimes Prematurity Research Centers—established to conduct translational research into the causes of preterm birth—the Ohio Collaborative discovered that an enzyme called AKR1C1 can trigger labor by shutting off progesterone activity, which is vital to maintaining pregnancy. This discovery opens multiple potential pathways to delay or prevent preterm birth, offering hope that other families might be spared the early arrival that Katie and her family experienced.
“If we can reduce prematurity in the first place, then we don't need to figure out how to make the brain or lung accelerate more rapidly postnatal.” - Sing Sing Way, MD, PhD, leader of the PRC Ohio Collaborative
In the wake of unimaginable loss, Erika and Kris Young became actively involved with the March of Dimes Innovation Fund.
Our impact Thanks to supporters like the Youngs and you, the March of Dimes Innovation Fund has grown its portfolio to six investments focused on key drivers of maternal and infant health outcomes. In 2024, we added two new companies: Novocuff, which is developing a device to address premature rupture of membranes, and Seven Starling, a company dedicated to improving maternal mental health. The companies the Fund invests in reflect a shared commitment to preventing tragedies like Sommer’s and to advancing solutions that give every family the chance at a healthy start.
“Novocuff is looking at unmet needs and providing a solution that physicians can have and utilize. And it's going to be something that can help shorten a baby’s stay in the NICU, or stay out of the NICU completely.” - Donald Lee, Co-founder and COO, Novocuff, Inc.
Go to Collaborate
We collaborated to deliver care and support our communities
For the Huguley family, access to quality healthcare was a struggle.
Our impact The March of Dimes Mom & Baby Mobile Health Centers® delivered nearly 5,000 medical visits last year. We also collaborated with clinical partners to add two new units in New York, NY, and Phoenix, AZ, for a total of five, bringing essential prenatal and postpartum care directly to the communities that need it most—so more families can access the care they deserve, close to home.
We provided essential support for the Biglefthands when pregnancy and birth didn’t go as planned.
Our impact NICU Family Support® provides resources and support to families navigating the stress and uncertainty of the NICU through family education, staff training, and an improved NICU experience. In 2024, our program served over 52,000 families in 70 hospitals.
“In our NICU, 25% of our extremely low birth weight babies are Native American, so it's a terrible health disparity and we really wanted to try to do something to help provide appropriate support to those families.” - Jen Eliason, NICU Family Support Program Coordinator
Go to Educate
We educated families and healthcare providers with essential information and resources to raise awareness of the crisis
Because of her second high-risk pregnancy, Rhian Valentine was prepared to ask about low dose aspirin.
Our impact Stories like Rhian’s inspired the launch of Low Dose, Big Benefits™, a national campaign aimed at educating both healthcare providers and pregnant people about the role of low dose aspirin in reducing the risk of preeclampsia and preterm birth. We launched this campaign with spokesperson and Celebrity Advocate Council member Allyson Felix, who developed preeclampsia during her first pregnancy.
Ashley’s experience reflected the heartbreaking consequences of gaps in care.
Our impact Our 2024 March of Dimes Report Card gave the nation a D+ for preterm birth for the third year in a row, while our Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the US report revealed that 35% of counties lack access to essential obstetric care. Ashley’s experience reminds us why we must continue to fight and report on equitable access, support, and improved outcomes for every mom and baby.
"If something like taking a low dose aspirin every day can be preventative, then we need to be shouting that from the rooftops." - Allyson Felix, 11-time Olympic medalist, world-record holder, and mom
Go to Advocate
Reflecting on her own experience, Erica believes in the importance of advocating for all moms and moms-to-be.
Our impact Erica raises awareness through our events like March for Change, helping advance crucial legislation on Capitol Hill. Because of our growing network of supporters, now more than 2,700 stronger, over 14,000 actions were taken in 2024 urging state and federal legislators to enact vital laws to transform the lives of families across the US.
Advocating to prevent stillbirths and infant death is one of the ways the Schuttes honored their son Ethan.
Our impact Thanks to the steadfast advocacy of our Office of Government Affairs and our advocates in 2024, March of Dimes championed more than 115 bills, with 50 signed into law. A significant victory was passage of the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act. This legislation is a step forward not only in public health, but in recognizing and uplifting families like the Schuttes who turn personal loss into lasting impact.
“Advocates are essential to the work that we do. It’s you telling your story, and telling elected officials why it’s important for them to listen and to take time to look at the legislation that they’re going to sign and ultimately pass.” - Stacey Brayboy, SVP, Public Policy and Government Affairs, March of Dimes
Go to Families first
We advocated to elevate our voices and champion real change
Our families inspire our events.
When participants join March for Babies, they take steps to improve health outcomes for moms and babies, and to UNITE, CONNECT, HONOR, and CARE for every family. In 2024, March for Babies, our flagship fundraiser, united nearly 43,000 participants to support moms and babies nationwide. In addition to our March for Babies walks, we held year-round Special Events—together raising a combined total of $45.1 million. These critical funds support all aspects of motherhood, from prenatal to postpartum.
“Once I learned about the maternal mortality rate and how it’s disproportionate for Black women, it gave me even more drive to support women and make sure they know their options.” - Sanyika Williams, It Starts With Mom Live panelist
Go to Programs and Partnerships
We put families first
Together, we worked toward our goal to end preventable maternal health risks and death, end preterm birth, and close the health equity gap for healthy moms and strong babies. We were wherever families needed us—in their communities with programs and fundraisers, on their digital devices sharing the latest info, and rallying everyone along the way on the grassroots and corporate level.
The Hamiltons walk to honor their first child, a daughter, who was born just over 24 weeks and passed away after 15 days.
The Siciaks walk in memory of their son who passed away before he could come home from the NICU.
Cynthia Smith, born preterm herself, has been walking since 2011 to honor her mother’s legacy of volunteering with March of Dimes.
The Grants walk for their daughter, Sara, who was born at just 23 weeks, weighing only one pound.
Educating moms and moms-to-be on pregnancy and childbirth.
Alongside the existing healthcare system, doulas can also play a vital role in supporting families by offering compassionate and informed guidance. Unlike medical professionals, doulas are uniquely positioned to provide pregnancy and birth support to help fill gaps in prenatal and postpartum care and focus on addressing the US maternal mortality rate. In 2024, March of Dimes spotlighted doulas and other critical maternal health issues through our It Starts With Mom education platform, reaching over 214,000 viewers. On our March 27 episode, Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Doulas, Sanyika Williams, a doula and mom, shared: the value of doula care: “We’re their birthing BFF. We don’t get tired of talking about birth. We’re here to give unbiased information.”
Return to Introduction
Partners and alliances
March of Dimes convened 28 national corporate partners, collectively investing to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. We’re grateful for their support and apologize for any errors in spelling or omissions and assume no responsibility or liability.
2024 Roosevelt Society
Through their generous contributions, the Roosevelt Society consists of remarkable supporters who enable us to deliver vital programs and tackle the most pressing issues in maternal and infant health. Their dedication ensures that families receive the care they need when it matters most. We’re profoundly thankful for their guidance, dedication and support of our vision of a healthy start for every mom and baby.
The March of Dimes community demonstrated incredible power in 2024 to unite for families to improve their health throughout their pregnancy journeys. Thanks to people like you we were able to continue to be there for those who need us most.
